The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Energy Agency to enhance collaboration on methane emissions reduction, gas development, clean cooking access, and technical support.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the spokesperson to Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Mbah,said the agreement was signed at the IEA headquarters in Paris, France.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo said the agreement formalises a strategic partnership aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening governance, and aligning Nigeria’s petroleum industry with global best practices.

He noted that the collaboration builds on earlier engagements between both parties, including the inaugural sub-Saharan roundtable on methane emissions reduction hosted in Nigeria.

“This MoU marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to advance the Nigerian petroleum sector in a manner that is efficient, sustainable and aligned with global standards,” Ekpo said.

The minister said the framework encompasses methane emissions reduction, policy and analytical support, institutional and technical capacity development, data sharing, as well as gas development and the expansion of gas infrastructure across Nigeria.

Ekpo also said clean cooking is a key pillar of the agreement, noting that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, aims to reach five million homes with liquefied petroleum gas adoption by 2030.

He expressed confidence that the partnership with the IEA would deliver technical expertise and global insights to improve project bankability and speed up infrastructure development.